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Posts Tagged ‘track and field’

“Thank you for running with me!!”

Posted in Track, tagged , , , , on August 20, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville senior Danny Conlisk flies through the summer track season. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Hittin’ the big time. (Dawnelle Conlisk photo)

Never forget where you came from.

Danny Conlisk may have spent the summer running near and far, competing for the Kitsap Fliers and advancing all the way to the national Junior Olympics track and field meet, but he still lives by those words.

The Coupeville High School senior, also fond of shaking the hands of each foe on the oval, benefited from the support of local fans, even if they couldn’t see most of his summer meets in person.

So, we’re turning over the mic to Mr. Conlisk, who wants to make sure everyone in Wolf Nation knows how much he appreciates them.

THANK YOU!!

I couldn’t have ever imagined the change that did come my way just from moving to a small town on an Island.

The support from my community, friends, family, teachers, coaches, board members, bus driver, teammates and my mom’s coworkers too is truly amazing.

Thank you for cheering me on and supporting me in my running world.

Coupeville has made me who I am today, because of people like you.

Elizabeth, Peggy, Melody, Erin, Jaime, Kathy, Jackie, Kathleen, Ann, Marci, Karen, Janette, Melinda, Natasha, Jamie, Judie and Bob, your generous financial support to help my family go with me to Nationals deeply touches me.

I know this journey in life isn’t mine alone.

Knowing I have so many cheering me on, pushes me to run even harder.

As I head into my senior year of high school, I look backwards to how far I have come.

From my first day at Coupeville Elementary School (which was the middle of 4th grade), reading my essay as the shy kid at 5th grade moving on, trying out for track in 8th grade (after never playing a sport in my life), to being the student school board member.

A solid platform under me now, that has set the stage for my future.

Never wanting to be the cocky jock, and still learning it’s OK to celebrate being good at something.

Knowing you all are behind me helps.

While Nationals didn’t turn out as I wanted, it was a giant highlight and learning experience. Not a wasted trip at all.

Knowing I went there ranked third in our region, and ended up in the top 61 in the whole United States, is still something to celebrate.

The advice on my form, stretches, jumping and starts from so many coaches, who just were eager to share and celebrate, was a priceless gift.

I am excited to head into my senior year of cross country (first official practice was today, first meet is on the second day of school).

Hoping to get into some indoor track meets this winter and the cherry on top will be ending my high school senior year in track and, if I keep training hard, right back to state championships in the 400.

Thank you again for running with me.

Sincerely,

Danny Conlisk

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Conlisk caps summer running season!!

Posted in Track, tagged , , , , , on July 27, 2018| Leave a Comment »

   Coupeville’s Danny Conlisk (left) and Kitsap Fliers teammate James Dillow wait for their race at the National Junior Olympics in North Carolina. (Dawnelle Conlisk photos)

A brief nap before bringing the speed to the oval.

Conlisk was awarded this for setting a Fliers record in the 400.

Hanging out with mom.

After all the training, all the fundraising, all the cross-country travel, all the dodging of rain and lightning, the big event was over in less than a minute.

Running in Greensboro, North Carolina Friday morning, Coupeville’s Danny Conlisk finished his summer track season by competing in the 400 at the USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships.

The Wolf senior, a four-time state meet participant at CHS, flew around the oval at Irwin Belk Stadium at North Carolina A&T University in 52.39 seconds.

Conlisk, running for the Kitsap Fliers, was competing in the boys 17-18 division, with 60 other runners from across the country.

There were eight heats in the 400, with the top eight times overall (regardless of where runners placed) advancing to Sunday’s final.

Those eight fleet-footed track stars will receive All-American status.

Derrick Price of New Era Track led the way Friday, burning through the heat and humidity to run a 47.35.

Conlisk, the student rep on the school board, now returns to CHS, where he’ll help the Wolves launch an in-house cross country program after a two-decade absence.

He also has one more track season remaining, where he’ll go for a fourth-straight state meet appearance.

Conlisk finished 2nd in the 400 as a junior, and was the only non-senior in the eight-man 1A finals this spring.

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“Just so very proud!!”

Posted in Track, tagged , , , , on July 24, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Danny Conlisk and his fleet feet are in North Carolina this week for the National Junior Olympics. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Opening ceremonies went on Tuesday, despite rain and lightning. (Dawnelle Conlisk photos)

Conlisk (second from right) and his teammates celebrate reaching the big time.

There was a Wolf sighting Tuesday in North Carolina.

Coupeville High School senior Danny Conlisk is at the National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Greensboro, and took part (for a while) in the rain-soaked opening ceremonies.

“It was dumping rain, and lightning had our crew jump out of the opening parade half way through,” said mom Dawnelle Conlisk. “Coach kicked them all out and back to their rooms.

“Not getting sick on his watch.”

Danny Conlisk, a four-time state meet participant (three track, one cross country), will compete in the 400.

Prelims are Friday and finals Sunday, with the top eight finishers earning All-American status.

He’s running with the Kitsap Fliers this summer.

Traveling cross country, running through airports, and seeing her once-shy son step into the spotlight has been a magical series of moments for mama.

“It was beyond emotional and I cried as I watched them walk the track,” Dawnelle Conlisk said. “Didn’t see that emotion coming.

“My face was so wet from the rain, thanks for the camouflage,” she added. “Just so very proud and excited for our boy.”

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Shaw excels in classroom, on field!!

Posted in Football, Track, tagged , , , , , on July 20, 2018| 1 Comment »

Gabe Shaw soars to the hoop for a bucket during a middle school game. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Gabe Shaw is a young man of many talents and many interests.

He’s a three-sport athlete who excels in football, basketball and track — though driver’s ed may sideline him during the upcoming hoops season.

Shaw is also a math and science buff who plays the trumpet and makes time to volunteer with the local Boys and Girls Club.

And, if it’s sweet sounds you seek, he has the musical answer.

As long as you’re like him and give big respect to the power of “old-school hip hop from the ’90s.”

Put it all together and you have one of the brightest rising stars on the horizon, a talented student/athlete who makes his debut at Coupeville High School this fall.

When he makes the jump from CMS to CHS, Shaw will kick things off by playing his favorite sport, a perfect way to ease into his new world.

“Football (is my favorite), because you only can succeed if everyone does their job,” he said. “Plus you get to hit people!”

Shaw, who enjoys “staying in shape, and the competition,” has assessed his game and sees positives and areas where he’d like to improve.

“I would like to increase my breakaway speed and decrease my off days,” he admitted, but he’s proud of being a “great team player.”

“I’m not afraid to lead when called upon,” Shaw said.

The young star hails his parents (dad has been a CMS football coach), his brother and his uncle, Mark, along with “all the people who have dedicated the time to coach me.”

One way Shaw will aim to thank those who have helped him is by continuing to work hard, every day, on the field and off.

“I want to keep my grades as high as possible, and contribute to the team(s) everything I can.”

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“I enjoy the challenge!!”

Posted in Basketball, Track, tagged , , , , on July 20, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Aiden Burdge heads back up court after nailing a three-point bomb in a middle school hoops game. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

When Aiden Burdge wants to see his greatest opponent, he looks in the mirror.

The Coupeville High School freshman, who follows a path carved by talented older sisters Kylie and Kiara, has a clear focus when he settles in to run a race or shoot a basketball.

Get better, every time out, and push himself to get the most he can out of his abilities.

“My strength as an athlete is my determination to push at a challenge until I overcome it,” Burdge said. “I need to work on discipline and training, because the older I get, the harder I have to push myself to get better.”

While he was a quick, three-ball-shootin’ wonder on the basketball court in middle school, it’s track and field which captivates Burdge.

“My favorite sport is track because it’s a great feeling to fly through the air and I know I can only improve,” he said. “I enjoy the challenge that’s in front of me and I want to get better.”

Track, above most other sports, is all about self-improvement — getting a PR, shaving a few seconds off your best time or picking up a few more inches on a throw.

That chance to compete against himself, and see his progress reflected back, is a big part of why Burdge enjoys the sport so much.

“My goal in my high school sports career is the same as my middle school sports career goal – to beat my own records,” he said.

Burdge is part of a large, tightly-knit family, and he appreciates the support he gets from his three sisters and parents Aaron and Trina.

Whether he’s playing a sport, knocking out tunes on the piano, or spending time with his family, the young Wolf star knows he has their full support and love.

“My parents and my siblings all pushed me to be better and to put forth my best effort,” Burdge said. “And for that I’m grateful.”

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